Getting to know Marianne Stephens
Tell us about your favorite character from your books?
I loved writing about Katie from “Gone to the Dogs” I wrote that book in first person and loved being “in her head” all the time!
Buy link: http://www.jasminejade.com/m-310-mari...
Tell us about your current/upcoming release.
“Anything You Can Do” was released by Breathless Press on 19 Feb., http://www.breathlesspress.com. BLURB:
When her daycare facility needs financial aid in order to offer the employees at Ryan Industries the best care for their children, Allison Minetti approaches the CEO, Jeffrey Ryan. After he fails to answer her requests for a partnership, Allison dares him to spend one week at the center. Jeff accepts the challenge and ups the ante by demanding her company for the weekend if he wins.
Instant mutual attraction leads to a week of seductive teasing and brief steamy encounters. Is there a way for them both to win? Or will someone’s interference in their challenge lead to mistaken conclusions and pull them apart?
How would you describe your writing style?
I like to think I write as I would “tell” someone my story, face-to-face. Easy to read and understand, yet intriguing enough to catch a reader’s attention.
Tell us five things about you.
1. I have 7 grandsons and am VERY good at buying “BLUE”.
2. When I first taught Kindergarten, I dated two men on the USS Enterprise at the same time but during their different work/time off shifts. Obviously I could function on less sleep then and had more energy!
3. When my husband worked at the White House, we had a direct line to the WH switchboard and had to keep the kids from using that line.
4. I write nonfiction memoirs as a ghostwriter.
5. I once took archery lessons.
What is on your bookcase/E-reader right now? What are some of your favorite authors?
Too many books to mention on my Sony reader, and a few print books I still need to get to, including some non-romance books by Glenn Beck. Favorite authors? Again, lots of ebook authors, plus Carla Cassidy, and love romances by Georgette Heyer and Barbara Cartland (although I don’t write in that genre).
What do you have coming in 2010? Any sneak peeks we can look at?
I’m trying to find an agent for a nonfiction book about a woman who lived in Sarajevo during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War. In romance, I’m 3/4 of the way done with a paranormal mainstream romance, and just started another erotic romance.
Where can readers find you on the web?
http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.aprilash.net (erotic)
http://romancebooksrus.blogspot.com
http://sevensexyscribes.blogspot.com (every Monday)
If we talked to your muse, what would they say about you?
“Marianne likes to find humor in her writing, although some of it can be suspenseful. If she could only get past the dreaded “middle of the book” writer’s block…” Happens with every book!
If you were a superhero, what would your name be and would you wear tights and a cape? What super power would you have?
Super Organizer. No tights or cape. I like to organize everything, and drive people crazy sometimes. My super power would be to magically wave my hand and have everyone’s life/home/job be completely organized and scheduled.
You get to meet any fictional character. Who would it be and what would you do together?
Jessica Fletcher from the “Murder, She Wrote” series. Love how she solves crimes. I’d like to get some story ideas from her that haven’t been done yet!
Where can readers find you on the web?
http://www.mariannestephens.net
http://www.jasminejade.com/default.as... Cerridwen Press
http://www.breathlesspress.com
“Anything You Can Do” release date TBA
http://www.jasminejade.com/default.as... Ellora’s Cave
“SEXY GAMES” http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7393-sex...
5 HEARTS, Diana Coyle, Night Owl Romance, REVIEWER TOP PICK
*****
Sneak Peek into “Anything You Can Do” by Marianne Stephens
Buy Link: www.breathlesspress.com
EXCERPT:
Allison thought she’d go crazy. Being stuck in an overheated elevator within kissing distance of a sexy, charming man, made her crave to purr like a kitten. The electricity charging the air between them should’ve been enough to jump-start the elevator.
As sanity warred with the fantasies marching through her brain, Allison scooted a short distance away from Jeff. She smoothed her skirt before pushing back the damp curls clinging to her forehead. Damn his kissable lips. Their closeness weakened her control and made her vulnerable.
“I wish they’d work faster.” Exhaustion and the heat, coupled with embarrassment and passion, tore at her composure.
“So. One week with you and the kids. I won’t be left alone with them, right?” A tinge of nervousness colored his question.
Allison laughed and then said in a nonchalant tone, “Absolutely not. I have to make sure they’re taken care of in case you decide to escape.”
A sly grin spread across his face. “Just checking. I wouldn’t wanna whip them into shape and encroach on your territory.”
A niggling doubt crossed her mind. When he’d accepted the challenge, she’d been positive he wouldn’t be able to handle even one day in the daycare. Could he make it through a week?
“I’ve gotta stand up and stretch. Maybe the air from the vent will reach my head quicker that way.” Jeff maneuvered his body into an upright position. “Hey, I think it’s cooler when you stand.” He offered his hand to Allison.
She grasped it, and prickles of heat raced up her arm. He gave a gentle tug and helped her up. Once standing, Allison wiggled her hand free and concentrated on yanking down her skirt. Doing something, anything, helped her forget his burning touch. “Yep, it’s cooler this way.” She fanned her face with her hand.
“Should we shake hands and seal our deal?” Jeff stretched out his hand to once again encase hers.
“Let me make sure I absolutely understand this. If you live through one week of daycare, all I have to do is accompany you around town for a weekend, no strings attached?”
He drew back his hand and placed it over his heart. “That’s the deal and all I ask.” He grinned and added in a sexy tone, “Unless you decide to change the rules.”
Allison considered the realities of their agreement. Although confident she’d win, logic wormed its way into her assessment of their dare. Even if she lost, she’d be in his company. She could sneak her requests into their conversations, so it wouldn’t be a total defeat.
“Hey down there! Grab onto something or hit the floor. I’m gonna start up the motor!”
With one huge grating sound, the elevator jolted and rocked into action, causing them to lose their balance. They stumbled as the car sped upward. Jeff landed in a sitting position.
Unsteady on her feet, Allison tripped and lost her footing. Jeff reached out, gripped her hips to stop her from falling backward, and pulled her down toward him. She landed with unladylike grace in his lap, renting inches of splits in her skirt seams as she straddled his body.
They grabbed onto each other, locked in an intimate embrace. Basic instincts took over. Her lips slid across his, and her hands wound into his curly hair. His tongue teased her into a frenzy of soul-searching kisses.
Jeff groaned and moved his head back to rest against the wall. “Wow. Very nice.”
